Panasonic TH-50PZ800U or TH-50PZ85U ?

[DrinkMore]

Trying to figure out which one is the best? I think the major differences is 24p and full glass front. Is that correct?

I am leaning to the 800u series. Advice?

[zsultan]

I just bought 85U yesterday, because i read in some reviews that 24p mode is not that great on 800U.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by zsultan

I just bought 85U yesterday, because i read in some reviews that 24p mode is not that great on 800U.

What's the 24p anyway?

The only other thing is, the 800 uses a full sheet of glass over the top.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

What's the 24p anyway?

The 800u will accept 1080/24P over hdmi and output it at the same rate or interpolate it, which is what the previous poster didn't like, at 72hz. Outputing either: AAA(24fps) or A,A1,A2(interpolating). I don't care for interpolating, but one of my major gripes with the 85u is that it can't output 24p, instead having to perform the 3:2 Pulldown where it alternates showing a frame three times then the next two times in order to keep up with the refresh rate of the display. Film is shot at 24fps, so that is ideally how it should be viewed, IMO.

The 800u also has a THX certified mode which is a picture setting that can be selected to maximize the potential of the display short of a professional calibration.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

The 800u will accept 1080/24P over hdmi and output it at the same rate or interpolate it, which is what the previous poster didn't like, at 72hz. Outputing either: AAA(24fps) or A,A1,A2(interpolating). I don't care for interpolating, but one of my major gripes with the 85u is that it can't output 24p, instead having to perform the 3:2 Pulldown where it alternates showing a frame three times then the next two times in order to keep up with the refresh rate of the display. Film is shot at 24fps, so that is ideally how it should be viewed, IMO.

The 800u also has a THX certified mode which is a picture setting that can be selected to maximize the potential of the display short of a professional calibration.

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards the 800u if I can get it for a good price. Not sure why Amazon does not have them in stock anymore. You all think that will change by Christmas time?

[eRod v1.0]

Check out this article. It's pretty good. It may help you in your decision. I am still leaning toward the 800u because of the THX and 24p, but it depends on how much and if it drops in price this holiday season.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/plasma...85u/index.html

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by eRod v1.0

Check out this article. It's pretty good. It may help you in your decision. I am still leaning toward the 800u because of the THX and 24p, but it depends on how much and if it drops in price this holiday season.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/plasma...85u/index.html

Very good info. I think I am in the same boat as yourself. It's a price issue now. The features are only a few differences at this point.

[eRod v1.0]

I am mostly likely going to get the 85u. It's a tough decision for me and I guess I just need to have patience. Whatever I get, it's going to replace my aging 65" LCOS in the basement. I can get the 85u price matched (amazon prices) + 15% off (i can get the same deal on the 800u), but I am trying to stay under $1700 total to include the receiver that I buy. I am also buying an Onkyo 606 because I can get the PM and 15% off as well. So I can get the 85u and 606 right now for under my price, but I want to wait and see if the 800u drops this season.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

The 800u will accept 1080/24P over hdmi and output it at the same rate or interpolate it, which is what the previous poster didn't like, at 72hz.

It would be great if it had a 72Hz mode for those that don't like the flicker that 48Hz presents, but it does not. It only has 48Hz mode and there is no interpolation option. The Pioneer has 72Hz mode with both interpolation off and on, not the Panny.

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

What's the 24p anyway?

The only other thing is, the 800 uses a full sheet of glass over the top.

In addition to the single sheet of glass and 24Hz mode, the 800U has a THX-certified colour mode and has additional HDMI inputs.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

It would be great if it had a 72Hz mode for those that don't like the flicker that 48Hz presents, but it does not. It only has 48Hz mode and there is no interpolation option. The Pioneer has 72Hz mode with both interpolation off and on, not the Panny.



In addition to the single sheet of glass and 24Hz mode, the 800U has a THX-certified colour mode and has additional HDMI inputs.

Yeah, I saw that too. I think I will be getting the 800u hopefully. Seems to be the best bang for the buck right now. Especially if I only pay $4/500 for it

[T-boner]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Yeah, I saw that too. I think I will be getting the 800u hopefully. Seems to be the best bang for the buck right now. Especially if I only pay $4/500 for it

I've been in the same boat as you guys for months.

I want the 800u but the cheapest price going for it right now is $1700 plus shipping for a 42 inch. The price will not go down very much at Christmas because Panasonic has them on back order. Your best bet for now is to get the 85u which you can get a 42" for $999 at a lot of stores. I like the design, full sheet of glass, and THX color settings on the 800u but I don't think $700 - $800 is worth the upgrade.

I'm not sure if I understand what you wrote above but do you believe that you can get an 800u for $400 - $500?

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by T-boner

I've been in the same boat as you guys for months.

I want the 800u but the cheapest price going for it right now is $1700 plus shipping for a 42 inch. The price will not go down very much at Christmas because Panasonic has them on back order. Your best bet for now is to get the 85u which you can get a 42" for $999 at a lot of stores. I like the design, full sheet of glass, and THX color settings on the 800u but I don't think $700 - $800 is worth the upgrade.

I'm not sure if I understand what you wrote above but do you believe that you can get an 800u for $400 - $500?

Sorry for the confusion, that's what I would pay. The rest would be paid by someone else. Tis a gift

If I am going to buy, it will be a 50". That size will fill the wall nicely. If for some reason they are scarce and it jacks the price up, I will just wait. These things are so cheap these days - I am not going to pay a premium. I honestly wish Amazon would get them back in stock so I can go through them. I hate dealing with third parties on electronics.

Anyone order the warranty through amazon or am I wasting my money?

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Sorry for the confusion, that's what I would pay. The rest would be paid by someone else. Tis a gift

If I am going to buy, it will be a 50". That size will fill the wall nicely. If for some reason they are scarce and it jacks the price up, I will just wait. These things are so cheap these days - I am not going to pay a premium. I honestly wish Amazon would get them back in stock so I can go through them. I hate dealing with third parties on electronics.

Anyone order the warranty through amazon or am I wasting my money?

Yes. Panasonic failure rates are ~2% (the best in the industry), and most of those fail within the manufacturer's warranty. Those are pretty good odds in your favor. However, if you're the type that will worry yourself to death without one, then I suppose it is worth it for your piece of mind. I've never purchased an EW on any product I've ever purchased, but that's me.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Yes. Panasonic failure rates are ~2% (the best in the industry), and most of those fail within the manufacturer's warranty. Those are pretty good odds in your favor. However, if you're the type that will worry yourself to death without one, then I suppose it is worth it for your piece of mind. I've never purchased an EW on any product I've ever purchased, but that's me.

Yeah, seems like every time I buy one, nothing happens. We have a samsung 40" plasma upstairs, nay an issue and no EW.

Just noticed that there are the following models..

80u
85u

800u
850u

Talk about damn confusing! I think I am going to go with the 850u now. I thought the 800u was the highest. Guess not. That's if they are not sold out all over the place.

[turboLAZER]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Yeah, seems like every time I buy one, nothing happens. We have a samsung 40" plasma upstairs, nay an issue and no EW.

Just noticed that there are the following models..

80u
85u

800u
850u

Talk about damn confusing! I think I am going to go with the 850u now. I thought the 800u was the highest. Guess not. That's if they are not sold out all over the place.

the only features the 850 has over the 800 is vieracast and pro-settings if you like playing with picture settings. i bought the 800 because i wouldn't use the extra features on the 850

[dobyblue]

Yeah the -850U would only be worth the extra money if you want to have it hooked up directly to the internet, or plan to have it ISF calibrated.

[mike_schultz]

I just purchased the 58" 800U. I am sure that 50" and the 58" are technically the same in picture. All I have to say is that the picture is stunning. The THX mode is awesome- although you do have a to tweak a few settings.

As for the 24P question... when I set my PS3 to 24P, the picture is amazing. Transformers and POTC are just awesome. The 7 minute prologue of The Dark Knight on the Batman Begins Blu-Ray is phenominal. I use that to show off the TV to my friends. However, the interesting thing is after I set the PS3 to 24P, I cannot tell a difference in quality whether I set the TV to 48HZ or 60HZ. The only difference I can tell is when I toggle the 24P on the PS3.

I know price is a big issue- like 99.9% of the population, but if you can save enough shekels for the 800U, I would go for it. I do not know Blu-Ray.com's policy on discussing vendor's, so I will not post where I bought my TV. However, if you are interested, send me a PM and I will point you to the website. I think I got a pretty good deal.

[dobyblue]

No problem discussing vendors here as there are no sponsors.

[mike_schultz]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

No problem discussing vendors here as there are no sponsors.

OK cool. I got my TV from Cleveland Plasma- www.clevelandplasma.com
They beat Amazon etc on their prices. I ordered the TV and received at my doorstep about 5 days later. The delivery guy even helped me take it upstairs. Anyway, I would look at them for your TVs. Very good pricing and good service.

[Sonny]

I had my 65" 850u ISF calibrated & it just about made me crap my pants!! It's the only TV I ever want to watch my BD's on again